While
we still wait for something official from Microsoft in terms of its long-time
rumored
Windows Mobile 7 smartphone OS, Motorola seems to know more and unveiled
that Microsoft will release Windows Mobile 6.5 in advance. Sanjay Jha, co-Chief Executive of Motorola
and Chief Executive of mobile devices, said during Motorola's Thursday earnings
call that "Windows Mobile 6 has not delivered the experience that I think
Apple has been able to deliver, but as you look at the plan that is Windows
Mobile 7 and even 6.5, I think there are significant new added features which
will help the platform".

According to Jha, Motorola will open a
new office in Seattle "in order to work closely with Microsoft to deliver
differentiation" via the Windows Mobile platform and a first Windows Mobile
6.5-based smartphone is expected in the second half of 2009.